05-06-2011, 11:10 AM
Calvert County/Talbot County - The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) located 1400 yards of illegal anchored gillnet containing more than 3 tons of dead rockfish.
On May 1, NRP responded to the Chesapeake Bay near buoy 82, west of Tilghman Island for a report of an illegal anchored gillnet. Officers located the net but were unable to retrieve it due to the weight of the dead fish. On May 2, the S. V. Sandusky, the DNR ice breaker/buoy tender, was dispatched to retrieve the net. Sea and wind conditions prevented the crew from pulling in the net.
On May 3, with much improved sea conditions, the crew of the Sandusky and NRP officers were able to retrieve 1400 yards of anchored gillnet which contained approximately 450 striped bass weighing 6,750 pounds.
Nearly all of the fish were dead and had to taken to the landfill. The net appeared to have been out since January and February due to the condition of the net and fish.
NRP is encouraging anyone with information on this incident, please call the Natural Resources Police Communication Center at 800-628-9944.
Media Contact
Sgt. A.A. Windemuth (410) 260-8850 office (410) 713-8449 cell or awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us
On May 1, NRP responded to the Chesapeake Bay near buoy 82, west of Tilghman Island for a report of an illegal anchored gillnet. Officers located the net but were unable to retrieve it due to the weight of the dead fish. On May 2, the S. V. Sandusky, the DNR ice breaker/buoy tender, was dispatched to retrieve the net. Sea and wind conditions prevented the crew from pulling in the net.
On May 3, with much improved sea conditions, the crew of the Sandusky and NRP officers were able to retrieve 1400 yards of anchored gillnet which contained approximately 450 striped bass weighing 6,750 pounds.
Nearly all of the fish were dead and had to taken to the landfill. The net appeared to have been out since January and February due to the condition of the net and fish.
NRP is encouraging anyone with information on this incident, please call the Natural Resources Police Communication Center at 800-628-9944.
Media Contact
Sgt. A.A. Windemuth (410) 260-8850 office (410) 713-8449 cell or awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us